Don Simone Camaldolese: A Florentine Master of Illuminated Manuscripts Don Simone Camaldolese (c. 1378-1405) stands as a pivotal figure in the artistic landscape of late fourteenth-century Florence, primarily recognized for his exceptional contribution to illuminated manuscripts—specifically the Antiphonary and Gradual—works that exemplify the pinnacle of Florentine book illumination during this period. While biographical details remain scarce, scholars believe he was born in Siena, establishing him firmly within a rich artistic tradition rooted in his hometown’s heritage. His career flouris…